Visiting resumes on 2A Medical/Surgical Unit as outbreak declared over
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) while working closely with NHH’s IPAC leads and our clinical leadership teams; has declared the Respiratory Outbreak (COVID-19) over on unit 2A Medical/Surgical Unit.
Regular visiting guidelines resume unless a patient is in isolation for COVID-19 infection or exposure. Please be advised that visiting exceptions to COVID-19-positive patients on 2A will continue to be made for those at imminent end-of-life, on consultation with NHH’s IPAC and the healthcare team.
“I’d like to thank all the NHH staff for their hard work as well as patients and family members for their understanding and co-operation with the restrictions placed during the outbreak,” said Dr. Jude Obomighie, NHH’s physician IPAC lead. “We will continue to remain vigilant to reduce the occurrences of COVID-19 outbreaks in our hospital to a minimum.”
The following is a summary of the infection prevention and control measures in place at NHH:
- Daily self-screening by staff for COVID-19 symptoms – All individuals entering the hospital for work must pre-screen for symptoms and refrain from entering the building or community mental health offices in the event symptoms develop.
- Mandatory use of appropriate PPE – All staff, physicians, midwives, and essential caregivers/visitors are expected to pay strict attention to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements throughout the hospital and NHH’s universal masking policy remains in effect.
- Cohorting of patients considered “high risk contacts” – Any patients identified as having a high risk of exposure have been co-located into the same area, tested and cared for with appropriate precautions.
- Mandatory vaccination of staff – All staff and physicians are required to be up to date with their vaccines (two doses); booster vaccines continue to be distributed to further reduce the risk of infection and spread.
- Strict adherence to thorough hand hygiene practices – Strict adherence to thorough hand hygiene will continue to be reinforced. • Enhanced environmental cleaning – enhanced cleaning, with a focus on equipment shared between patient rooms
- Proactive communication – Public notices are continually updated across NHH’s communication channels, including on doorways within/leading to the hospital, to promote awareness of the presence of COVID-19 and the importance of vigilance with PPE.
Universal masking policy critical to managing spread
As a high-risk setting, NHH’s universal masking policy remains in place throughout the hospital and Community Mental Health offices. Visitors continue to have access to free masks on entry to the hospital and NHH’s Community Mental Health offices and will be expected to keep their medical-grade mask on at all times (or over top of their personal cloth mask) while inside, unless eating or drinking in designated areas. No eating or drinking is permitted by visitors in patient rooms. This is due to the fact that masks would need to be removed. Mask dispensers have been added at public entrances to the hospital and Community Mental Health. The dispensers are meant to augment the support by NHH Auxiliary volunteers who have been exceptional at helping to distribute masks and remind incoming patients and visitors of the importance of Personal Protective Equipment while inside the hospital.
For details on NHH’s Visiting Guidelines and expectations, including virtual visiting options and answers to other Frequently Asked Questions, please see this page.
Updates on NHH’s COVID-19 status will continue to be communicated through the hospital’s website and related social media channels. Community outbreak information will be found on the HKPRDHU website, www.hkpr.on.ca/category/my- community/outbreaks/